Hamilton's Method for Seat Assignment

The video tutorial explains how to solve an apportionment problem using Hamilton's method. It begins with an introduction to the problem and the method, followed by calculating fair shares. The tutorial then covers rounding these shares to lower quotas and assigning excess seats based on priority. Finally, it demonstrates the final seat assignment, ensuring the total matches the required number of seats.

What is the main problem that Hamilton's method aims to solve?

• Determining the number of states in a nation

• Distributing resources equally among states

• Assigning seats in a representative body based on population

• Calculating the total population of a nation

What is the first step in Hamilton's method?

• Rounding up fair shares

• Determining the total population

• Calculating fair shares

• Assigning excess seats

Why can't fair shares be directly used to assign seats?

• They are not whole numbers

• They are not unique

• They are negative

• They are too large

What is the 'lower quota' in Hamilton's method?

• The exact number of seats each state should get

• The rounded down number of fair shares

• The number of excess seats

• The total number of seats available

How are excess seats determined in Hamilton's method?

• By multiplying the total seats by the number of states

• By dividing the total seats by the number of states

• By adding all fair shares

• By subtracting lower quotas from total seats

Why is it important to round down fair shares?

• To increase the number of excess seats

• To avoid assigning more seats than available

• To ensure all states get the same number of seats

• To simplify the calculation process

What determines the priority for assigning excess seats?

• The alphabetical order of states

• The number of lower quotas

• The smallest population

• The largest decimal part of fair shares

Which state gets the first extra seat?

• The state with the most lower quotas

• The state with the largest decimal part

• The state with the smallest population

• The state with the fewest lower quotas

What is the role of decimal parts in Hamilton's method?

• They determine the priority for extra seats

• They are ignored completely

• They are added to the total number of seats

• They are used to calculate lower quotas

Which state had the second priority for extra seats in the example?

• State D

• State C

• State B

• State A